This afternoon the P-Bruins learned who a couple of their more-respected veteran players are going to be.

The Bruins announced the signing of free agent Jamie Tardif to a two-year contract and Josh Hennessy to a one-year contract. Both should be solid players for the P-Bruins as well as emergency depth replacements if the parent club suffers a rash of injuries while trying to defend the Stanley Cup championship.

Tardif, 26, was the captain of the Grand Rapids Griffins the last two seasons, and this year the forward set a career high with 27 goals and 54 points. Combined with the return of Trent Whitfield, the P-Bruins will have at least two standout leaders in their dressing room.

Hennessy, a former second-round pick of San Jose, is a 25-year-old forward, and last season he played in Switzerland. He’s a Brockton, Mass., native, so that should put a few more fans in the seats down at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center.

RI isn’t bad, but it is too bad that the Manchester team is affiliated with the Kings. New Hampshire used to be hard-core hockey country (still is, for college hockey) and I think a Bruins affiliate there would sell a whole lot of tickets, both on its own and for the parent club.